New BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival coming to Jerseyville

JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville tourism officials hope a new festival featuring bluegrass, beer and barbecue will help the community kick off the summer, with proceeds benefiting a local charity.

The inaugural BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival will be held Friday June 1 and Saturday, June 2 at Lions Club and Wittman Parks, 305 N. Jefferson St.

On Tuesday, the Jerseyville City Council approved closing Jefferson Street from Spruce to Snedecker, and Spruce Street from Jefferson to the 200 block of Spruce.

“It’s a pet project of the mayor,” said Jerseyville Tourism Coordinator Michael Ward. “All of the proceeds go back to one of the local charities in the Jerseyville area.

“The mayor got the idea from one of his friends, and asked it was possible,” Ward said. “We’re trying to bring people to Jerseyville and have people experience what we have to offer through our new Explore Jerseyville program.”

The barbecue portion of the event includes a competition sanctioned by the St. Louis BBQ Society.

Ward said about 20 pitmasters have committed to participating, and they had a number of other openings available as of Friday.

Visitors will be able to participate in judging in a “people’s choice” category by purchasing a $10 wristband.

Although people can come out and watch, Ward said there would not be a lot of public events going on before 5 p.m. as pitmasters were getting ready for competition. However, he said often they had more time to talk with people.

Most of the activities will be Saturday, including morning and afternoon barbecue competition, a car show, a kid’s cook-off, “Movie in the Park,” raffles, exhibits and entertainment.

Entertainment includes Misty Ridge at 10 a.m. Saturday, and The Harmans at 1:30 p.m. Ward said they are waiting for signed contracts before announcing other performers.

Proceeds will benefit the local charity “Kids Shouldn’t Have Cancer Foundation,” which will also sponsor the “ButterFlutter for Pediatric Cancer in Memory of Jonny Wade” 5K run at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at Jersey Community High School.

Another reason for the festival is to help promote local business.

“If you’re at the festival you can walk to any local shops,” Ward said.